Box making machine



Dec. 11, 1934. c. D. KNOWLTON 1,983,547

BOX MAKING MACHINE.

Filed Sept. 24, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.1.

Dgc. 11, 1934. c. D. KNOWLTON BOX MAKING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledSept. 24, 1931 Dec. 11, 1934. D, KNQWLTON 1,983,547

BOX MAKING MACH INE il'm afava KM Dec. 11, 1934.

C. D. KNOWLTON BOX MAKING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 24, 1931Patented Dec. 11, 1-934 PATENT OFFICE B0x MAKING MACHINE Cutler D.Knowlton, Beverly, Mass assignor to Hoague-Spmgue Corporation,- Lynn,Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Application September 24, 1931,Serial No. 564,803

39 Claims,

This invention relatesto machines for the making of boxes, it beingespecially concerned with the application to boxes of such sheets aslabels.

Box-bodies and their covers, either of which, since they may differ onlyin dimensions, are to be looked upon as boxes or box-portions,frequently have a label secured adhesively to certain areas, as to. oneor both of their ends. An object of my'invention is to effect such anattachment of the sheets to boxes during their production, said sheetsbeing rapidly applied and accurately positioned. In carrying out thisobject, I'arrange a sheet-applying mechanism between a feeder forbox-blanks and a mechanism for setting up said blanks in box-form, theapplying mechanism preferably functioning during theadvance of theblanks by conveying. means from the feeder to the setting-up mechanism.In

this way, there is attained the ease and speed of operation upon flatblanks, as distinguished from the more bulky and easily deformed foldedboxes, while at the same time such blanks are stable and free fromthewarping and distortion which may result from the application of thesheets to the cover-paper for boxes before'this has been associated withthe shell-material. The applying mechanism is operated in definitetime-relation to the feeding and conveying means, so said applyingmechanism acts correctly upon each sheet fed, and, to prevent thedelivery of a sheet if there has been a failure of the blank-feed, theoperation of the applying mechanism is controlled upon the engagement ofthe feeder with a blank. I have herein shown this as accomplished by aninterconnection of pneumatic engaging means at the feeder and applyingmechanism, one of which means controls the operation of the other. Meansis illustrated for varying the time-relation between the applyingmechanism and the sheetadvancing means, so the applied sheets may becaused to register correctly with the blanks, this conveniently beingaccomplished by changing the angular relation of a member, as asprocketwheel through which one of the mechanisms is operated. Thisreceives power from an associated mechanism or from a common source. Tfree the machine from the effect of irregularities in action of theblank-conveying means, I provide for the rotation of the blank-engagingmeans at a greater peripheral speed than. the rate of travel of theconveyor, so that blank is removed from the influence of the conveyorwhile it is being acted upon by the applying mechanism. Both thebox-blanks and the applied sheets or labels are commonly elongated inone direction, the blanks having end-wings, to one of which wings thelabels may be aflixed. I arrange for most advantageous delivery of thelabels to the blanks, the latter being contained in a magazine whichholds them with their major dimension transverse to the advancingconveyor, with the endwings at'opposite sides thereof, while thelabelmagazine so presents'its contents that they may be drawn outlongitudinally and applied transversely of the box-end-wings. Thislongitudinal delivery of elongated sheets minimizes their tendency tochoke or resistv advance in event of their angular displacement.

A further object of this invention is to improve the construction andoperation of the sheetor label-applying mechanism. There is hereinvolved a novel mounting of the label-applying mechanism; anarrangement of a suction-roll which successively removes the labels fromthe "magazine and transfers them to the receiving surfaces, togetherwith means for separating and supporting the labels during theirwithdrawal and transfer and presenting them properly to anadhesive-applying member; power-actuation of the applying member, whichis movable between adhesive-supplying means and a label-transferringmember, and its control under the influence of the transferring member;and an arrangement of the surface of the adhesive-applying member whichfacilitates'the maintenance of the label upon the transferring memberduring the application of the adhesive.

One of the several possible embodiments of my invention is illustratedin the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a broken side elevationof those portions of a box-making machine with which the invention ismost closely concerned;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the mechanism;

Fig. 3 shows in perspective a labeled blank;

Fig. 4 is an irregular vertical section taken near the center of Fig. 2;

' Fig. 5, a fragmentary vertical section in which the label-engagingelements are in a position succeeding in the operating cycle that ofFig. 4;

Fig. 6, an enlarged vertical sectional detail taken at thesuction-openings of the transferring segment;

Fig. 7, a still further enlarged transverse section through the sameelements;

Fig. 8, an irregular vertical transverse section taken upon Fig. 4 justin advance of the labelmagazine;

labeling Fig. 9, a vertical sectional detail on the line IX-IX of Fig.8; and

Fig. 10, a detail in perspective of the sprocket-adjusting means.

This invention may be applied to the boxmaking machine which is thesubject of an application for Letters Patent filed in my name in theUnited States Patent Office on July 7, 1930, and bearing the Serial No.465,941. It is to be noted that, while the apparatus of the applicationhas been described as being particularly de signed for the production ofbox-covers, its use for the making of box-bodies is merely a matter ofminor changes, such as in its proportions. In Fig. 1 of the presentcase, there appears a portion of the frame 18 of said machine, andparticularly the side-rails 20, 20 thereof, which extend from ablank-feeder F to a mechanism S, which folds and sets the blanks up inboxform. An endless conveyor C, which, in the present instance, may besupplied by spaced sprocket-chains provided with engaging projections 0,receives the blanks delivered by the feeder and advances them to thesetting-up mechanism. Of the feeder, there is shown in Fig. 1 a magazine22, in which box-blanks B are supported in a horizontal stack or seriesupon one edge. The

, form of the blank is generally that of an elongated rectangle, beingintended for the production of boxes such as are used for containingshoes. 11, side-wings e, e, each with corner-laps j, j, and end-wings g,g. The arrangement of the blank-elements when the box is set up is wellknown. In the magazine 22, each blank is arranged with its majordimension transverse to the path of advance, the end-wings beingadjacent to the side-rails .20, 20. It will be assumed that, in thepresent instance, to one of these end-Wings a label I is to beadhesively secured, it being applied to the layer of coverpaper whichhas been adhesively fixed to the shell-material when the blank wasproduced by a prior operation. In the magazine 22, the blanks arearranged with the cover-paper to the right, as viewed in Fig. 1. Theyare removed therefrom one by one by pneumatic suction-nozzles 24, whichintroduce them successively between a pair of delivering belts 26, 26,these depositing each blank upon the conveyor C, each just in advance ofa projection c. The application of suction is controlled in the properrelation to the movement of the nozzles 24 and to the conveyor-advanceby an automatically operated valve 28, to which is joined a conduit 30in which suction is maintained. The setting-up mechanism S consists moreessentially of a form 30, an opposed abutment-plate 32 and side-walls34. The blanks are introduced from the conveyor C between the form andplate, which, with the blank clamped between them, rise and cause thewings and corner-laps to be folded by contact with the walls. In thissetting-up, the box-elements are retained in form by an adhesive appliedby a mechanism, not illustrated, during the travel of the blanks fromthe feeder F. Power for the operation of the various portions of themachine comes from a source common to all, as a countershaft 36.

Situated at that side of the conveyor C at which is located ablank-end-wing g to which a label I is to be applied, is a labelingmechanism L. Its mounting may consist of two bars 40 resting at theirouter extremities upon the top of a siderail 20 and unsupported at theirinner ends. The

Each blank (Fig. 3) has a body-portion outer portions overhang the railand are each connected by a screw 42 to a bar 44 extending the fullwidth of the frame beneath the side-rails,

and at the opposite-side of the frame these bars 44 are joined by screwsto yokes or blocks 48 (Fig. 1)- resting upon the top of the rail. Withinthe side-rail opposite the screws 42, the bars 40 and 44 are spaced byinterposed thimbles 47, through which and the bars pass screws 49.Secured to the bars 40 are two side-frames 50 and 51 of the labelingmechanism L, these frames being spaced from each other and connected bycross-rods 52. The effect of the support of the frame for the labelingmechanism upon the bars 40 at one side only of the machine-frame is toleave at the opposite side of said frame an open space, through whichready access may be had to blanks being forwarded by the conveyor C.From the inner side-frame 51 rises a guide-wall 54 (Fig. 2) extendinglongitudinally of the conveyor, and upon this wall a slide 56 is mountedto reciprocate. Extending horizontally from the lower portion of theslide above the path of the blanks in their advance by the conveyor fromthe feeder to the setting-up mechanism is a platform 58 guided at itsopposite edge in ways 60 in the side-frame 50. The platform serves asthe bottom of a magazine m for a vertical stack of the labels 1, thestack being retained against horizontal displacement by side-walls 62,62 and end-walls 64 and 66.- To allow the magazine to accommodatedifferent sizes of labels, the walls 62 and 64 are adjustable upon theplatform by slot-and-screw connections 68. The wall 66 is fixed againstmovement upon the slide 56, serving to locate one of the margins of thelabels in the stack at a predetermined position, from which withdrawalthrough an opening 70 (Fig. 4) in the platform between its inner edgeand the wall 66 may occur. For such withdrawal of each label, themagazine is reciprocated by a link '72 articulated to the upperextremity of l lever '74 fulcrumed at '76 upon the frame and having aroll '77 entering a cam-track in a disk '78 fast upon a shaft journaledin the side-frames above the conveyor. The manner in which the cam isrotated and acts upon the magazine will later be described.

Situated just below the forward extremity of the bottom label in themagazine is a delivering roll 82 rotatable in the side-frames. In thisroll is an axial passage 84, from which lead radial passages 86 throughthe periphery of the roll. Initially the passages 86 are substantiallyvertical, the forward margin of the lowest label covering them. Suctionis applied to the roll-passages, to cause the retention and partialwithdrawal from the magazine of the label engaged, by way of a conduit88 (Fig. 2), a valve-casing 90, a conduit 92 and a valve-casing 94(Fig. 1) situated in close proximity to the valve 28 and joined to it bya conduit 96. The connection between the suctionconduits 88 and 92 isgoverned by a plungervave 98 movable in the casing 90, said valve beingheld normally closed by a spring 100 and opened by an adjustabletwo-piece cam 102 at the appropriate time to cause the roll 82 to seizethe bottom label. The cam 102 is fixed to the shaft 80. In the casing 94is a plunger-valve 104, which is under the influence of a spring 106 tonormally cut off the suction in the conduit 96 from the conduit 92. Aslong as the nozzles 24 are not in engagement with a blank, the valve 104remains closed, any suction applied to the conduit 96 by way of thevalve 28 being broken by the inflow through the nozzle-openings. Butwhen theseopenings are closed by the presence of 'a blank held by thenozzles for delivery, the-suction acts upon the valve 104. "This valvehas spaced plungers, that next the spring 106 being of greater diameterthan its companion. Consequently, there will be an excess of atmosphericpressure upon that side of the valve to move it against the resistanceof the spring and thus open connection between the conduits 96 and 92.As a result of this, a label in the magazine 111. will be pneumaticallyengagedby the roll-passages 86 only when a box-blank has beeneffectively drawn from the magazine 22 to receive its label. In absenceof the control exercised over the suction at the roll 82 by the valve104, the force applied through the conduit 30 might be sufllclent tocause the active engagement of a label in the magazine by the roll 82even with the nozzles 24 left open by the absence of a blank.

When suction has been applied to the passages at 86, as just described,and the bottom label in the magazine is held under its influence againstthe roll 82, the magazine is advanced by the lever 74. This movement iscaused to rotate the roll 82 in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 4, asby a gearing consistingof a rack 108 secured to the under side of theslide 56 and meshing with a pinion 110 fixed upon the roll. Thesimultaneous advance of the magazine and rotation of the delivering rollcauses the bottom label to be wound about a portion of the periphery ofthe latter, the relatively sharp deflection due to the small diameter ofthe roll being effective to break the adhesion between the label actedupon and the next in the stack. At this time, there is no resistanceoffered by the slipping of one label over another, the bodily advance ofthe stack by the magazine preventing this. Before the travel of themagazine and the rotation of the roll ceases, and suction is removedfrom the rollopenings 86 by the closing of the valve.98, the forwardedge of the label will have reached a line below the inner edge of ahorizontal labelseparating and stack-supporting wall 112 extendingbetween the side-frames 50 and 51. This inner edge of the wall, ,or thattoward and in close proximity to the roll 82, has lower and upperconverging surfaces 114 and 116, respectively. The former is engaged bythe upper face of the label being withdrawn to direct this down into aposition to be further acted upon. The latter guides thesucceedingsheets in the stack, which overhang the opening in the bottom of themagazine, up upon a horizontal supporting surface 118 of the wall 112.The surface 116, by contact with the lower edge of the magazine-wall 66,may also direct this upon the surface 118, producing a close engagementbetween the walls, which will insure the retention of the lower labelsin the stack in place when the magazine-travel is reversed to return itto normal. As the label being fed is advanced by the magazine beneaththe wall 112 after release by the roll 82, it passes above a bar 120having a reduced edge at 122 (Fig. 5), and which is shown as suspendedfrom the wall 112 by lugs 124. As the leading edge of the label tends tofall, due to its projection from the magazine, it receives the supportof this bar and is more accurately held in position for the succeedingoperation upon it.

Upon the shaft is carried a label-holding and transferring roll, in theform of a segment 130. The radius of the segment is such that it fedlabel, and its width and circumferential extent give a surfacesuflicient to support the label to be applied, the latter preferablyprojecting somewhat beyond the supportingsurface of the segment. Theshaft 80 has an axial passage 132 connected by a radial passage 134 to atransverse passage 136. From the passage 136, openings 138 pass throughthe periphery of the segment adjacent to the edge which leads initsfrotation. A conduit 140 joins the passage 132 to a portion of thecasing in which operates a plunger-valve 142 (Fig. 2). When suction isapplied to the conduit 92 under the control of the valve 104, its effectupon the conduit and the passages in the segment 130 may be governed bythe valve 142. This valve is normally closed by a spring 144 and isopened by a cam 146 fast upon the shaft 80 and arranged similarly to thecam 102. The timing of the elements is such that the suction throughthe-openings 138 is created as they reach the forward extremity of thelabel being fed, after this 'has been released by the passages 86 of theroll 82 and while it is being advanced by the magazine at the same speedas the periphery of the segment 130 is traveling. A label having beenthus engaged by the segment, and the inner end of the magazine-opening70 having reached the roll 82, the advance of the magazine ceases, andcontinued rotation of the segment completes the drawing of the labelfrom beneath the stack. I have shown the openings 138 formed in asurface 141 (Fig. 6) at the forward edge of the segment, this surfacebeing inclined forwardly and inwardly from the circumferentiallabel-engaging surface. This causes the forward extremity of the labelto be bent inwardly at an angle to the remainder, to avoid a scrapingcontact with an adhesive-applying member which will now be described.

Supported adjacent to the transferring segment 130 is a tray 143 (Fig.4), mounted between the side-frames 50 and 51, and in this tray iscarried a pan or receptacle l45ifor glue or other adhesive. Operating inthis pan is a supplying roll 147, the horizontal shaft of which isjournaled in bell-crank levers 148 fulcrumed at 150 on the side-frames.To each lever and to an arm 152 fixed upon a shaft 154 turning in theframe is pivoted a telescopic rod 156 acted on by a spring 158 andforcing .the roll 147 in the direction of the segment. This movement isadjustably limited by a screw 160 threaded horizontally into each leverand contacting with the frame. Upon the shaft 154 is secured ahand-crank 162 limited in its movement in opposite directionsbyengagement with a projection 164 from the side-frame 50. In one extremeposition of the crank, or that illustrated in Fig. 2, the angle of thearms 152 is such that the roll 147 is in its operating relation,immersed in the adhesive in the pan.

145. In the alternate position of the crank, the levers 148 are turnedto lift the roll from the pan to facilitate cleaning and the removal ofsaid pan to refill it. In the operating position, the supplying rolldelivers the adhesive.to an intermediate roll 166 journaled in theside-frames parallel to the supplying roll. This intermediate rollpreferably has a yieldable covering, as of rubber. The closeness ofengagement of the roll 147 with the roll 166, and therefore the amountof adhesive delivered to it, is determined by adjustment of the screw160. Extending across the frame, in advance of the roll 166 and parallelto its axis, is a readily removable spindle .168, and upon this spindlethere is arranged to turn a sleeve 170 having projecting from it spacedarms 1'72; 1'72, in which is iournaled' an adhesive-applying roll 1'74,the axis of this r011 being parallel to that of the roll 166. The roll1'74 is movable by oscillation of the arms 1'72 from anadhesive-receiving position at the roll 166 to one in which it appliesthe adhesive to a label held upon the segment 130. The length of theroll is such that, as the label is carried in contact with it by thesegment, substantially the entire surface of said label is coated. Onaccount of the extension of the label beyond the edges of the supportingsurface of the segment, there is no opportunity for smearing the latter,and, because of the bending of the leading edge of the label over thesurface 141, this edge does not scrape over the adhesive upon the roll1'74 with a tendency to transfer said adhesive to the printed face ofthe label. I have shown the applying surface of the roll 174 as groovedat 1'76 (Fig. '7), conveniently in the form of a helix. This groove willtransmit atmospheric pressure to the surface of the label over thesegment-openings 138, so contact of the applying roll will not destroythe label-holding suction. Italso reduces the contactarea of theapplying roll, thus diminishing the adhesion of the label thereto andthe liability of it being carried away from the segment. The helicalgroove is easy to machine and eifectively distributes the wear upon theroll 166.

The rolls of the adhesive-supplying chain are rotated by gearing whichimparts to the applying roll 1'74 a peripheral speed substantially thatof the segment, to properly spread the adhesive without disturbing theposition of the label upon said segment. The intermediate roll 166preferably has the same peripheral speed as the applying roll, while theroll 147 is rotated at a much slower speed to bring up a sufllcientsupply of the adhesive from the pan 145 without unnecessarily agitatingits contents. Upon the shaft 80 of the segment 130 is secured a gear180, which rotates the applying roll 174 by meshing with a pinion 182fast upon the shaft of said roll. To the opposite extremity of thisroll-shaft is attached a gear 184 engaging a gear 186 upon the shaft ofthe roll 166, which also has fixed upon it a pinion 188. The lattertransmits movement to the roll 146 by meshing with a gear 190 fast uponits shaft.

To oscillate the applying roll 1'74 between its position of contact withthe intermediate adhesive-roll 166 and the label-holding segment 130 inthe correct time-relation for the application of the adhesive to thelabel, the roll-supporting sleeve 170 has an upwardly extending arm 192,to which an actuating force is applied. This arm is joined by a link 194to a piston 196 operating in a cylinder 198 supported by theside-frames. Normally, a spring 200, acting upon the piston within thecylinder, holds the roll 1'74 toward the roll 166 to receive a coatingof the adhesive. The closeness of approach, and therefore the amount ofadhesive transferred, may be determined by a set-screw 201 threadedthrough a portion of the cylinder-casting, and with which the pistoncontacts. Opening into the cylinder is a conduit 202, which branchesfrom the conduit 140 and therefore applies to the cylinder a suctioncontrolled by the valve 142 simultaneously with that produced in thepassages of the segment 130. Consequently, when the suction through thesegment-openings 138 causes a label to be held against said segment, theperiphery of the applying roll 1'74 is moved into the path of the label,which, as it is carried past this roll,

receives a coating of the adhesive. The closeness of engagement dependsupon the adjustment of a stop-screw 203 carried by the cylinder-casting,which receives contact of the piston within the cylinder to limit itstravel in this direction. The label having been coated and the valve 142closed, the applying roll is returned by the spring 200 to the roll 166to receive a fresh supply of the adhesive. If the segment-openings 138are not closed by a label being drawn from the magazine and presented toreceive its coating, the suction will be broken by the entering air andwill be ineffective to shift the applying roll 174 against theresistance of its spring 200. In consequence of this interdependencebetween the retention of the label upon the segment and the moving ofthe adhesive-applying roll to its active position, danger of spreadingthe adhesive upon the label-receiving surface of the segment is removed.

The rotation of the segment is timed with the delivery of blanks fromthe feeder F and their advance by the conveyor-C, so that the forwardedge of a label held upon the segment is correctly presented to theforward edge of an end-wing g of a blank B being advanced to thesetting-up mechanism S by a conveyor-projection c. At this time, thecontacting edges of the blank-end-wing and of the label are situatedabove a bedor. abutment-roll 206, which is preferably covered withrubber or otheryieldable material. The horizontal shaft 208 of thebed-roll is rotatable in hearing blocks 210 arranged for movement alongvertical ways in brackets 212 supported upon the upper faces of the bars44. The roll is thrust toward the segment 130, to force the coated labeland blank toward it and into intimate contact with each other, bysprings 214 interposed between the bearing-blocks and screws 216threaded through the brackets and by which the force of the springs maybe adjusted. This movement of the roll toward the segment is shown asadjustably limited by screws 218, with which the bearing-blocks contact.

The bed-roll 206 is rotated at the appropriate peripheral speed,preferably not less than that of the segment 130, by sprocket-gearingincluding a wheel 220 connected by a chain 222 to a shaft at the feedingmechanism F. From the shaft 208, the other rotatable elements of thelabeling mechanism are driven by a gear 224 fixed upon the shaft andmeshing with the gear 180. Because of the connection of the labelingmechanism shaft 208 and the associated mechanisms of the boxmakingmachine to a common source of power through positive gearing, all thesemechanisms will operate in a definite time-relation. To permit the areato which the labels are to be applied to be varied transversely of theend-wings g of the blanks, so said labels may be symmetrically located,means is provided for changing about the shaft 208 the angular relationof the sprocketwheel 220. The effect of this is to correspondingly alterthe angular position of the rotatable elements of the labeling mechanismwith respect to the projections c of the conveyor 0. To thissprocket-wheel there is secured about the shaft 208 a sleeve 226,through which is a slot 228 ii.- clined to the axis (Figs. 8, 9 and Theshaft is slotted within the sleeve 226 and within the bearing-block, andmovable longitudinally of this shaft-slot is a sliding key 230 providedwith a projection 232 entering the sleeve-slot 228. The outer extremityof the key has a depression to receive an annular flange 234 upon athumb-screw 236 threaded into the shaft 208 at the axis. When the cam78, the magazine is again moved forward, at first gradually and thenattaining the same rate of travel as the segment. The segthe screw 236is turned, the eilect is to shift'the relative angular positions of theshaft 208 and the sprocket 220, and thus the relation of the rotatableelements of the labeling mechanism to the associated mechanisms of thebox-making machine which include the blank-presenting conveyor C, allthese parts operating in synchronism. This leads to a change in the timeof presentation by the transferring segment 130 of the labels to theblanks forwarded by the conveyor, and a consequent variation in theirpositions upon the blank-end-wings.

To outline the general operation of the machine, it may be said that themagazine 22 of the feeder F is supplied with a stack of box-blanks, eachbearing its cover-paper, and with the major dimension of the blanksextending transversely of the conveyor C, so the end-wings a lie atopposite sides of the machine-frame. A stack of labels 1 is placed inthe magazine m of the labeling mechanism L, these having their majordimension extending longitudinally of the conveyor C or transversely ofthe blank-end-wings to which the labels are to be applied. The pan 145contains the adhesive to be employed for the attachment of the labels.Delivered one by one from the magazine 22 by the suction-nozzles 24 andthe belts 26, the blanks are advanced by the projections c of theconveyor toward the setting-up mechanism S. As each blank approaches thelabeling mechanism L, the elements of said mechanism at the beginning ofa label-applying cycle'will be positioned as illustrated in Fig. 4 ofthe drawings. The roll 7'7 on the lever 74 for reciprocating themagazine m is located in the groove in the cam 78 at a point u,beginning a concentric section of the groove extending to 1:. During therotation of the cam through this angle, the magazine is at rest and, thevalve 28 being open to cause the feeding of the blank from the magazine22, the cam 102 at mechanism L opens the valve 98, so suction is createdthrough the openings 86 in the delivering roll 82, to permit firmengagement between the roll and the bottom label in the magazine to beestablished. If the nozzles 2 of the conveyor have failed to seize ablank, the valve 104 will be operated to cut off the suction from theroll 82, so no label-removal from the magazine m will be initiated;Following the engagement between the label and suction-roll 82, aportion of decreasing diameter of the cam '78 from v to w acts toadvance the magazine m, this turning the roll 82 through the gearing108, 110 as the opening 70 of the magazine travels over the roll, so thelatter can draw the forward extremity of the label down without exertingupon it as a whole a displacing force. This movement of the magazine ispreferably rather gradual, avoiding accidental disengagement of thelabel from the suction-roll. The leading end of the label is now beneaththe separating wall 112, deflected downwardly by the surface 114, andsuction through the roll-open-' roll 82 being thus supported. Thecam-track from w to .r is again concentric, and the magazine rests.During this period and preceding, portion of the cycle, thesegment 130has been transferring and applying a previously withdrawn label, and itssuction-openings 138 are approaching the projected end of the label thedelivery of which is being considered. From w to 11 in the groove ofment-openings 138 are now beneath the end of the label (Fig. held intheir path by the wallsurface 114 and prevented from sagging, arid thusdestroyingproper registration, by the support furnished by the bar 120.

When this conditiom suitable for the engagementand-retention of thelabel by theesegment, has been attained, the valve 142 is opened by thecam 146 to give suction through the openings 138, holding the end of thelabel to the segment. A concentric portion of the cam from y to 2reaches the lever-roll 77, stopping the travel of the magazine as theouter edge of the opening '70 arrives at the roll 82. The drawing of thelabel from the magazine is therefore completed by the tension created bythe rotation of the segment 130. Simultaneously with the application ofsuction to the segment-openings, but occurring only if there is a labelin place upon the segment ready for the operation upon it, suction iscreated in the cylinder 198 under the control of the valve 142 to causethe applying roll 1'74 to move from its engagement with theadhesive-carrying roll 166 against the label upon'the' segment, coatingsuch label. The label having been fully withdrawn from the magazine, acamportion of increasing diameter from a to it returns the magazinerapidly to its normal position, where it abruptly stops. The inertia ofthe labels tends to force them back against the magazine-wall 66,alining their edges vertically, so the succeeding label to be fed willhave the desired relation to the suction-openings in the roll 82. Duringthe return-movement of the magazine, the sliding of the wall 66 over thesurface 1.18 holds the lower labels from being displaced beneath saidwall. As the withdrawn label is being carried down by the segment,because of the definite timing of the operation of the feeder F andconveyor C, its forward edge will meet the leading side-margin of theend-wing g of a blank B being advanced by a conveyor-projection c, andwill be pressed against the wing-surface, under the influence of thebed-roll 20s, to cause adhesion. Afterthe pressure of the label upon theblank has been established, the greater speed of the segment willsomewhat move the label'and blank away from the conveyor-projection,making the application independent of irregularities. in theconveyordrive. With the attached label, the blank is carriedonto thesetting-up mechanism S, where, because of the timing of :said mechanismwith respect to the co-operating mechanisms, it arrives'in the properposition to receive the folding action of the elements 30, 32 and 34.During the application of the label, another label-withdrawing cycle isbeing initiated. Instead ofacting atone extremity of a box only, themechanism L may be duplicated, to apply labels to opposite ends, or anapplication may be made at an intermediate point, as at the center of aboxcover.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a box-making machine, setting-up mechanism, a conveyor foradvancing blanks to the setting-up mechanism, sheet-applying mechanismacting upon the blanks during their advance by the conveyor, and meansfor operating the setting-up mechanism, conveyor and sheet-applyingmechanism in constant definitely timed relation.

2. In a box-making machine, setting-up mechanism, a conveyor forsupplying the setting-up mechanism, a box-blank-magazine, means forremoving blanks from the magazine and delivering them tothe conveyor,label-applying mechanism including a magazine and means for withdrawinglabels therefrom and applying them to the blanks between the deliveringmeans and setting-up mechanism and during their advance by the conveyor,and means for operating the setting up mechanism, conveyor,blank-removing and delivering means and label-withdrawing and applyingmeans in constant definitely timed relation.

3. In a box-making machine, setting-up mechanism, a. conveyor forsupplying the setting-up mechanism, a magazine arranged to holdelongated box-blanks with their major dimension extending transverselyof the conveyor, means for removing blanks from the magazine anddelivering them to the conveyor, a label-magazine situated at one sideof the path of the blanks upon the conveyor, and means for withdrawingthe labels from the 7 magazine and applying, them transversely of oneextremity of the blanks during their advance by the conveyor.

4. In a box-making machine, setting-up mechanism, a conveyor forsupplying the setting-up mechanism, a magazine arranged to holdboxblanks having sideand end-wings, means for removing the blanks fromthe magazine and delivering them with the end-wings at opposite sides ofthe conveyor, a magazine for elongated labels situated at one side ofthe path of the blanks upon the conveyor, and means for withdrawing thelabels longitudinally from the magazine and applying them transverselyof the endwings of the blanks.

5. In a box-making machine,'a box-blank-feeder, blank-setting-upmechanism, means for advancing blanks from the feeder to the settingupmechanism, sheetapplying mechanism situated between the feeder andsetting-up mechanism and acting upon the blanks during their advance,and means for operating the sheet-applying mechanism upon each operationof the feeder.

6. In a box-making machine, a box-blank-feeder, setting-up mechanism, aconveyor having projections for engaging the blanks delivered by thefeeder and advancing them to the setting-up mechanism, sheet-applyingmechanism co-operating with the feeder, and means for operating thesheet-applying mechanism once for each blank-engaging projectionsupplied with a blank by the feeder.

7. In a box-making machine, setting-up mechanism, a conveyor forsupplying the setting-up mechanism, a box-blank-magazine, means forremoving blanks from the magazine and delivering them to the conveyor,label-applying mechanism acting upon the blanks between the deliveringmeans and setting-up mechanism, and means for operating theblank-delivering means and label-applying mechanism in definitetimerelation.

8. In a box-making machine, a feeder for boxblanks, mechanism forapplying ,a label to a wing of each box-blank, means for advancing theblanks from the feeder to the applying mechanism, means for operatingthe advancing means and applying mechanism in definite time-relation,and means arranged to vary such time-relation and thereby shift thelabel-receiving are upon the wing.

9. In a box-making machine, a blank-feeder, mechanism for applyingsheets to the blanks, means for advancing the blanks from the feeder tothe applying mechanism, said applying mechanism and advancing meanshaving power-receivlabel-applying mechanism, a conveyor-chain engagingblanks delivered by the feeder and advancing them to the applyingmechanism, and means for driving the conveyor-chain and applyingmechanism and including an angularly adjustable sprocket-wheel.

11. In a box-making machine, a blank-feeder, label-applying mechanismprovided with a blankengaging roll, a conveyor-chain having projectionsengaging blanks delivered by the feeder and advancing them to theapplying mechanism, means for driving the conveyor-chain and applyingmechanism and including a sprocketwheel mounted with the blank-engagingroll, and means arranged to rotate the sprocket-wheel with reference tothe roll.

12. In a box-making machine, blank-delivering means, driving meanstherefor, label-applying mechanism supplied with blanks by thedelivering means, a driving shaft for the applying mechanism, a drivingmember through which the shaft is rotated from the driving means, andmeans movable upon the shaft for changing the angular relation betweensaid shaft and the driving member.

13. In a box-making machine, blank-delivering means, driving meanstherefor, label-applying mechanism supplied with blanks by thedelivering means, a driving shaft for the applying mechanism, a drivingmember through which the shaft is rotated from the driving means, saiddriving member having a slot inclined. with respect to the axis, and akey movable upon the shaft and entering the slot. e

14. In a box-making machine, blank-delivering means, driving meanstherefor, label-applying mechanism supplied with blanks by thedelivering means, a driving shaft for the applying mechanism, a drivingmember through which the shaft is rotated from the driving means, saiddriving member having a slot inclined with respect to the axis, a keymovable upon the shaft and entering the slot, and a screw threaded intothe shaft at the axis and engaging the key to efiect its movement. 7, v

15. In a box-making machine, box-blank-setting-up mechanism, a feederhaving a blank-engaging suction member, label-applying mechanismsituated between the feeder and setting-up mechanism and having alabel-engaging suction member, and means for creating suction in theblankengaging member of the feeder and label-engaging member of theapplying mechanism in definite time-relation.

16. In a box-making machine, a box-blankfeeder, mechanism for operatingupon the blanks fed, and means controlled upon engagement of the feederwith a blank for causing the operation of said mechanism.

1'7. In a box-making machine, box-blank-feeding mechanism, and mechanismfor applying sheets to the blanks, each of the mechanisms havingpneumatic engaging means and one of said engaging means controlling theoperation of the other.

adjacent to the magazine oppositely inclined 18. In a box-makingmachine, box-blank-teeding mechanism, mechanism for applying sheets tothe blanks, each of the mechanisms having a suction device, asuction-conduit connected to the suction devices, and a valve in thesuction-conduit, said valve being controlled by the condition of onesuction device and controlling the suction through the other device.

19. In a box-making machine, box-blank-feeding mechanism, mechanism forapplying labels to the blanks,'each of said mechanisms having a suctiondevice, a suction-conduit connected to the suction devices, and a valvein the suctionconduit, said valve being controlled by the condition ofthe suction device at the blank-feeding mechanism and controlling thesuction through the label-applying mechanism.

20. In a box-making machine, a blank-feeder, mechanism for applyingsheets to the blanks, said mechanism having a rotatable blank-engagingmember, a conveyor for advancing blanks from the feeder to thesheet-applying mechanism, means for driving the conveyor, and means forrotating the blank-engaging member at a greater peripheral speed thanthe rate of advance of the conveyor.

21. In a box-making machine, a blank-feeder, mechanism for applyingsheets to the blanks, said mechanism having opposite rotatableblankengaging rolls, a conveyor for advancing blanks from the holder tothe sheet-applying mechanism, means for driving the conveyor, and meansfor rotating the rolls at a greater peripheral speed than the rate ofadvance of the conveyor.

22. In a' box-making machine, a blank-feeder, mechanism for applyingsheets to the blanks, said mechanism having opposite rotatableblank-engaging rolls, blank-setting-up mechanism, a conveyor providedwith projections arranged to engage blanks and advance them from thefeeder to the label-applying mechanism and to the setting-up mechanism,means for driving the conveyor, and means for rotating the rolls at agreater peripheral speed than the rate of advance of theconveyor-projections.

23. In a box-making machine, side-rails extending longitudinally of themachine, a boxblank-conveyor traveling between the rails, bars extendingfrom a side-rail transversely of the conveyor, and label-applyingmechanism mounted upon the bars and leaving the conveyor free for accessat one side of the machine.

24. In a box-making machine, a frame having side-rails, setting-upmechanism carried by the frame, a bar extending transversely of theframe beneath the side-rails, a bar extending partially across the frameabove one of the side-rails, means for connecting the outer extremitiesof the bars at one side of the frame, and label-applying mechanismmounted upon the bars.

25. In a sheet-applying mechanism, a sheetmagazine, a rotatablesuction-roll for delivering sheets from the magazine, a rotatablesheettransferring suction-roll receiving sheets from the deliveringroll, and an abutment-roll co-operating with the transferring roll.

26. In a sheet-applying mechanism, a reciprocatory magazine for a stackof sheets, said magazine being provided with a bottom-opening, a suctionsheet-delivering roll situated beneath the opening in the magazine andupon which the bottom sheet of the stack rests, and a stationaryhorizontal wall upon opposite sides of which travel the delivered sheetand the succeeding sheets of the stack, said wall having at its-endsheet-engaging surfaces.

27: In a sheet-applying mechanism, a reciprocatory sheet-magazine, arotatable suction-roll for delivering sheets from the magazine, arotatable sheet-transfe g suction-roll receiving sheets from the deivering roll, a dividing wall beneath which the delivered sheet isdirected by the delivering roll in its advance to the transferring roll,and an abutment-roll co-operating with the transferring roll.

28. In a sheet-applying mechanism, a reciprocatory sheet-magazine, arotatable suction-roll for delivering sheets from the magazine, arotatable sheet-transferring suction-roll receiving sheets from thedelivering roll, a dividing wall beneath which the delivered sheet isdirected by the delivering roll in its advance to the transferring roll,said dividing wall having an inclined surface arranged to deflect thedelivered sheet toward the transferring roll, and an abutment-rollco-operating with the transferring roll.

29. In a sheet-applying mechanism, a magaprovided with a forwardstack-retainingwall and with a bottom-opening, a sheet-delivering rollsituated beneath the opening in the magazine and upon which the bottomsheet of the stack rests, and a stationary sheet-dividing wall intocontact with which the lower edge of the magazine-wall moves in thedelivery of a sheet, said contact being maintained during the furthermovement of the magazine.

30. In a sheet-applying mechanism, a magazine for a stack of sheets,said magazine being provided with a forward stack-retaining wall andwith a bottom-opening, a sheet-delivering roll situated beneath theopening in the magazine and upon which the bottom sheet of the stackrests, and a stationary sheet-dividing wall into contact with which thelower edge of the magazine-wall moves in the delivery of a sheet, saidcontact being maintained during the further movement of the magazine,the wall having at its end adjacent to the magazine a surface inclinedupwardly and away from said magazine for engagement thereby.

31. In a sheet-applying mechanism, a reciprocatory sheet-magazine, arotatable suction-roll for delivering sheets from the magazine, arotatable sheet-transferring suction-roll receiving sheets from thedelivering roll, a dividing wall beneath which the delivered sheet isdirected by the delivering roll in its advance to the transferring roll,said dividing wall having an'inclined surface arranged to deflect thedelivered sheet toward thetransferring roll, an abutment-rollco-operating with the transferring roll, and a sheet-supporting barsituated below and in proximity to the inclined surface of the dividingwall.

32. In a sheet-applying mechanism, a sheetdelivering member, 'arotatabletransferring segment receiving upon its periphery sheets from thedelivering member, said segment being provided near one edge with asurface inclined inwardly from the peripheral sheet-engaging surface andmeans for bending the edge of the transferred sheet over such inclinedsurface, and an wardly from the peripheral sheet-engaging surface, therebeing suction-openings in the inclined surface, means for creating asuction through the openings to draw a sheet to the inclined surface,and an adhesive-applying member to which the segment presents thesheets.

34. In a sheet-applying mechanism, a rotatable sheet-transferringmember, adhesive-supplying means, an adhesive-applying member movablebetween the supplying means and transierring member, and pneumatic meansfor moving the applying member.

35. In a sheet-applying mechanism, a rotatable sheet-transferringmember, adhesivesupplying means, a lever, an adhesive-applying rollrotatable upon the lever and movable thereby between the transferringmember and supplying means, a co-operating cylinder and piston actingupon the lever, and means for applying suction to the cylinder.

36. In a sheet-applying mechanism, a rotatable sheet-transferringmember, pneumatic means for holding a sheet upon the transferringmember, adhesive-supplying means, an adhesiveapplying member movablebetween the supplying means and transferring member, pneumatic means formoving the applying member, and pneumatic connections common to themoving means and holding means.

3'7. In a sheet-applying mechanism, a rotatable sheet-transferringmember provided with a suction-opening, adhesive-supplying means, alever, an adhesive-applying roll rotatable upon the lever and movablethereby between the transferring member and supplying means, aco-operating cylinder and piston acting upon the lever, conduits joinedto the suction-opening and to the cylinder, a valve controlling the flowthrough both conduits, and meansior applying suction to the conduits.

38. In a sheet-applying mechanism, a rotatable sheet-transferring memberprovided with a suction-opening, adhesive-supplying means, and anadhesive-applying roll arranged for co-operation with the supplyingmeans and transferring member and provided with a groove opposite thesuction-opening of said transferring member.

39. In a sheet-applying mechanism, a rotatable sheet-transferring rollprovided with a series of suction-openings in its periphery,adhesivesupplying means, and an adhesive-applying roll arranged forco-operation with the supplying means and transferring roll and providedin its periphery with a helical groove.

CUTLER D.- KNOWLTON.

